Pot Hole Incident

[Captain Flack]

I had the misfortune of driving my 2002 C270CDi estate through a pot hole on a public road today, which appears to have damaged my offside rear tyre. I was only travelling at 30mph but could not avoid the pot hole as I didn't see it until the last minute due to bad light and rain.

Both the offside front and rear went over the hole but only the rear tyre has been affected(bulge on the inside edge). A garage has confirmed that there is no other suspension damage.

My question is, has anyone else had the same problem and been successful in claiming part of the cost of a tyre back from the local authority who are responsible for the roads? I don't expect the full price of a new tyre(the damaged tyre is about 30% worn) but feel that a contribution towards the cost would be fair.

I will report the pot hole to the council tomorrow so that they can fix it but any input would be welcome on whether or not it would be worth pursuing a claim.

Jules

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I have heard of this kind of thing before where people have been successful. Indeed my brother claimed from the local authority when a gritter truck chipped the paint on his bonnet with the grit.

I think you should give it a go, but I have no idea who you contact. Try the local citizens advice bureau. Failing that, do you have legal protection on your insurance? If you do then contact your insurance company and ask them for advice.

 

[television]

I did not have any success with Devon and Dorset Councils after loosing two wheels at two different times, they wormed their way out by saying that the road was inspected the previous week and was seen to be OK, you have to prove that the hole has been the a long time.

Malcolm

 

[djb]

yes claimed against stoke on trent council for rims and tyrres in similar circs in 1991
made a full claim for rims with allowance for a ten year life and for the un worn portion of the tyres.

note place take picture, state weather back up with weather charts if raining etc

if claim is fair it will be paid quickly , if stupid expect it to be thrown out.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I did not have any success with Devon and Dorset Councils after loosing two wheels at two different times, they wormed their way out by saying that the road was inspected the previous week and was seen to be OK, you have to prove that the hole has been the a long time.

Malcolm

Similar to above, you generally have to prove the council were neglegent, that they had no knowledge of the pot hole and that they have not inspected the road recently.

If you find someone else who has complaied about the hole over the past few days/week then you have a case. Its difficult to prve they did not inspect the road, but they should have records for this, its sometome sdone formally by road inspectors, but sometimes the road is on a route the engineer takes home and will be informally done.

Either way its difficult. But worth a letter at the very least i would say. Take a pic of the hole the exact location position on a map and the damage to the wheel/tyre. Also give them a quote for the replacment.

I assume its a local authority road and not a trunk road.

 

[Blobcat]

I would recommend you get a motorcycle, you will then realise how lethal pot holes, man hole covers and other 'features' of our roads can be. You may then be able to spot them easier next time your out in the car.

 

[television]

I would recommend you get a motorcycle, you will then realise how lethal pot holes, man hole covers and other 'features' of our roads can be. You may then be able to spot them easier next time your out in the car.

My problem was that the holes had been there for months, it was when driving the V70R home the first time that the 205 x 40 x 17" wheels hit the hole and did not like it. On some of the B roads around here you cant always drive around them. I am ok with 215 45s

Malcolm

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

I have two AMG 18" alloy's in the garage which have been flated (£2000 worth) due to pot holes - "scrap".

 

[television]

I have two AMG 18" alloy's in the garage which have been flated (£2000 worth) due to pot holes - "scrap".

Mine cost £1200 the thing that hurt was it had been driven around Herts for 17k miles when I bought it, and to drive the 159 miles home and do it on my door step. It was raining and dark, if Blobcat had hit it ,he would have been thrown off, with a bus comming towards you,one cant go anywhere. I still wonder what would have happened had I issued a summons.

Malcolm